BKAA Newsletter

BKAA Meeting - Swindon dojo - 11th March 2012

2012-01-26T12:43:00.001Z

To allow some of the BKAA Orpington members to grade to 3rd Dan

The hall has been booked at Swindon dojo

on Sunday 11th March 2012

at 10am - 4pm

Haydon Centre,

Thames Avenue,

Haydon Wick,

Swindon, Wiltshire,

SN25 1QQ

The day will be filled with more Aikido for all levels

Please come along and meet others in the BKAA

New BKAA dojo in Grantown on Spey

2012-01-07T17:12:00.000Z

Just to let all BKAA members know, Jill and James Oni-Orisan are starting a new BKAA dojo in Scotland after their move last year.

Lessons commence on Wednesday 11th January, then also on Saturday's in Grantown on Spey.

After Easter break this will extend to Kingussie Sports Centre, and then after the summer another in Aviemore Sports Centre.

Jill and James are running it along the same lines as Colchester Dojo, employed by the sports centres.

A great start to the New Year for them both and the BKAA.

Martin Wilkins - 2nd Dan

2011-12-26T13:26:00.000Z

Happy Christmas and New Year for 2012 to all in the BKAA

Just to finish 2011 on an very positive note

Martin Wilkins - Swindon dojo
achieved 2nd Dan on Monday 19th December.

Congratulations go to Martin in this accomplishment.

Gradings at Bristol - December 2011

2011-12-10T16:48:00.000Z

I would like to congratulate Hanna and Pete Lord on achieving their 1st Kyu brown belts at Bristol dojo last night.

Along with them, Simon Daniel also became a 5th Kyu, yellow belt and started his path in Aikido.

Well done to them all and best wishes to the BKAA members as we start the festive season.

We will try to arrange further BKAA meetings in the early New Year.

New Members and Gradings

2011-10-15T12:02:00.000+01:00

Other things in life have taken my focus away from updating this Blog.

However there have been a few new members over the past months, these include:

Bournemouth
Gary Ward
Dan Trathen
Russell Phillips

Swindon
Lewis Kidd
Steve Rowse

Selby
Andrew Simpson

As always if I have missed anybody, let me know and I will amend

Megan Emms achieved her 5th Kyu Yellow belt in Swindon also.

Swindon BKAA Meeting

2011-08-26T12:05:00.000+01:00

Just to let all know Derek has booked the Swindon hall for:

Saturday 8th October
10am - 4 pm

Venue address
  Haydon Wick Community Centre
  Swindon
  SN25 1QQ

All BKAA members are welcome, guests will require their own insurance.

An agenda will be planned closer to the time.

New members and Gradings

2011-06-28T13:51:00.001+01:00

Grading from Colchester on Monday 4th July has seen the following promoted to 1st Dan

Paul Mullins - 1st Dan
Andrew Harfield - 1st Dan

and Alexander Walsh achieved his 5th kyu

Colchester has more new members and we welcome the following to the BKAA:

Steve Ellis
Mark Veeley

Bournemouth has another new starter, which I omitted, so my apologies for that.

Jadael Martins

The following have just passed their 6th Kyu (Red belt) and congratulations on your beginning step in Aikido.

Craig Smith
Steve Ellis
Mark Veeley

Welcome to the BKAA and your start in Aikido.

Promotions in Bournemouth

2011-06-15T15:32:00.000+01:00

For their commitment to the BKAA and the development of Bournemouth dojo, Philippe has awarded the following grades:

Jim O'Dywer - 3rd Dan
Derek Underwood - 2nd Dan

Both have grown the Bournemouth dojo from it's infancy and developed many students within the BKAA.

Congratulations to both.

New members in June and upcoming Dan grading in Colchester

2011-06-07T09:59:00.002+01:00

Hi,

Welcome to a couple of new members to the BKAA in our Colchester dojo.

Will Verrier
Craig Smith

Couple of gradings this month and congratulations to both for achieving them:

Will Verrier - Colchester - 6th kyu
Wes Guile - Selby - 3rd Kyu

Also Colchester are holding a 1st Dan grading on Monday 4th July at 7pm, so anyone who is in the area you are welcome to attend.

New Gradings - May 2011

2011-05-09T10:11:00.002+01:00

Congratulations go to the following BKAA members for their progression

Andy Brown - 2nd Kyu - Bournemouth
Simon Daniel - 6th Kyu - Bristol

New members this month include:

Simon Daniel - Bristol

As usual if I have missed anyone, I will update accordingly.

1st Dan Grading and New Starters

2011-03-27T16:14:00.006+01:00

Congratulations to Alison Osborn, who passed her 1st Dan grading in Swindon today, Sunday 27th March 2011.

Philippe made the journey over to the Swindon dojo and carried out the grading.

Other BKAA gradings include:

Betsy Hayward - 4th kyu - Bristol

Mike Lister - 5th kyu - Bournemouth
Steve Manston - 5th kyu Bournemouth
Shan Munks - 6th Kyu - Selby

New members joining the BKAA dojos are:

Roberto Oliveira - Bournemouth
Shan Munks - Selby

Welcome to you all.

If you have any pictures from other BKAA dojos, then I would be glad to add links to web albums.

Latest Joiners and Gradings

2011-02-23T13:06:00.002Z

As we swiftly start to move through 2011, I have a couple of grading announcements

Tomasz Rak - 3rd kyu - Bournemouth
Barry Schultz - 3rd Kyu - Bournemouth

Couple of new members to welcome to the BKAA in the Bournemouth dojo

Paul Zawieja
Mike Stoodley

If there are any more that I have omitted, let me know and I will add

Swindon meeting - Sunday 27th March

2011-02-04T08:26:00.000Z

Derek at the Swindon dojo is arranging a grading for some of his members, and therefore has booked the hall there for Sunday 27th March.

It is an open invitation for all BKAA members to attend.

Date:
Sunday 27^th March 11-4pm

Venue:

The Haydon Centre,

Haydon Wick,

Swindon

SN25 1QQ

Christian Tissier Seminar

2010-12-20T16:02:00.002Z

Just to make all aware Brighton Aikikai are hosting Christian Tissier in Dartford in February.

If you are interested in attending could you let me know as I will need to arrange event insurance specific to the BKAA members, as there is a requirement for BAB insurance.

I have enquired with Phil and BKAA members are welcome.

BRIGHTON AIKIKAI PRESENTS Christian Tissier,
Shihan - 7th Dan
...Aikikai at the Dartford Olympic Judo Club
Saturday 26th February 2011

10:30 to 12:30
15:00 to 17:00

£25 for one session
£45 for both

BAB insurance needed for UK practitioners
Contact:Phil Rozier +44 (0) 7736 301785
info@brightonaikikai.org.uk
www.brightonaikikai.org.uk

Lots of clips on youtube such as:
Tissier clips

Malvern - Jason Godwin visit - 16th December 7-9pm

2010-11-16T08:57:00.000Z

Jason Godwin lives in Japan and is highly trained in a number of different martial arts, some akin to aikido. He is visiting the UK over the Christmas period and has agreed to teach a session at Malvern. This will be mainly Bokken and Jo.

The session is on Thursday 16th December between 7pm and 9pm.

Here is a bit of info about Jason:

Jason started Bujinkan training in 1991 in Portsmouth, before moving to live in Japan in 1997. Jason has lived in Japan for 13 years now and is a long time regular student of Soke Hatsumi and Nagato Sensei, being awarded 14th Dan by Soke earlier this year. He also has experience in kendo and has been graded in Judo at the Tokyo Kodokan.

If you are interested in attended, please contact Matt or Paul at Malvern dojo.

They are also thinking of following this with a curry, but would need to know numbers for booking the curry place.

Latest Joiners and Gradings

2010-11-04T12:41:00.001Z

It has been sometime since I last added to our membership and gradings, although only have a few to mention

New Members are:

Dion Brittan - Malvern
Jacek Gruszczynski - Bournemouth
Steve Manston - Bournemouth

I am pleased to welcome these 3 to the BKAA

Latest Gradings

Brian Walker - Malvern - 5th kyu
Nick MacLean - Malvern - 5th kyu
Oscar Lam - Bristol - 4th Kyu

Congratulations on your beginnings in Aikido.

As usual, if I have missed anybody out or have made an error, let me know and I will correct.

BKAA get together in Swindon

2010-10-02T21:20:00.001+01:00

Thanks to those that attended today, I enojyed the day and am sure others did too.

Betsy has added her pictures to a web folder in Picasa

I will add more as they filter through.

Doncaster Two Circles Seminar

2010-09-08T14:00:00.000+01:00

John Edge at Two Circles dojo is proud to announce an Aikido Seminar

from September 25th-26th, 2010

Aikido instruction will be provided by Stephen Rehrauer Sensei, AAI

European Director, Rokudan (6th degree black belt)

The seminar will be held at St Judes & St Leonard church hall, Barnsley Road, Doncaster

The training is open to students of any martial art or rank, and from any organization or dojo.

Rehrauer Sensei began the study of the Tomiki style of aikido under the direction of Seiji Tanaka Sensei, who had been a direct student of Tomiki Sensei himself. When transferred several years later to Spain , Rehrauer Sensei continued his aikido training in the Hombu Style under the direction of Tomas Sanchez Sensei, a student of Nobuyoshi Tamura Sensei, and was awarded his shodan by Sanchez Sensei in the spring of 1985.

After returning to the United States that same year he settled in Chicago. Two days after his arrival in Chicago, he went in search of a local dojo in which to train, met Toyoda Fumio Shihan, and began an intensive period of training under his direction. It was the beginning of a long and profound relationship of student and master, teacher and friend, which continued until Toyoda Shihan’s untimely death. Toyoda Shihan saw clearly the way in which the practice of aikido techniques become lessons that shape a way of life where mind and body are one. During that period Rehrauer Sensei studied and taught regularly at Tenshinkan, the headquarters dojo of the Aikido Association of America, and benefitted from many serious and fruitful discussions with Toyoda Sensei concerning these spiritual and technical aspects, and deeper meanings of aikido technique and training practice.

While studying and teaching aikido in Chicago at Tenshinkan dojo, Rehrauer Sensei became a founding member of the first board of directors of the Aikido Association International and acted as its first Secretary and Treasurer. there he benefitted as an active participant in Toyoda Shihan’s developing methodology for teaching highest quality aikido and ensuring quality standards among AAA and AAI certified instructors. He accompanied Toyoda Sensei on many workshops to other cities throughout the USA, and in Europe. Having earned his 4th dan, Toyoda Shihan appointed him as one of the original members of the first AAA National Teaching Committee, and when Rehrauer Sensei relocated from Chicago to Rome to begin work as a professor, Toyoda Shihan appointed him as the European Secretary of the AAI. While acting as European Secretary he accompanied and assisted Toyoda Shihan on his many European Seminars. In April of 2000, Toyoda Sensei nominated him for promotion to Godan and the Doshu awarded Rehrauer Sensei his 5th dan on January 1st, 2001 at the annual Kagami Biraki ceremony. This past year he was nominated for 6th dan and the current Doshu promoted him to Rokudan onJanuary 1st, 2010.

Rehrauer Sensei in his capacity as European Secretary regularly consults with the Toyoda family concerning administrative and technical issues, and both attends and directs workshops and training seminars throughout the European region, passing on what he received from Toyoda Shihan, in order to ensure the technical excellence and quality of instruction for which the AAI is widely known and respected.

Gradings and New Members

2010-08-11T15:48:00.000+01:00

I would like to congratulate Darryl Charlwood on achieving his 1st Dan in June.

Philippe Girard ventured down to the Bournemouth dojo for Darryl's assessment.

Also some other gradings that have happened in the last couple of months

Simon Jeffery - 4th Kyu - Bournemouth
Jon Wilton - 4th Kyu - Bournemouth

A correction:
Slawomir Jaloszynski - 4th Kyu - Finsbury

New Members I would like to welcome to the BKAA

Nick MacLean - Malvern
Brian Walker - Malvern
Darren Nichols - Swindon
Megan Emms - Swindon
Katie Booth - Swindon
Louis Deva Kumar - Bristol

One new member that slipped through:
Matthew Mungeam - Orpington

BKAA Seminar in Swindon

2010-08-11T13:43:00.000+01:00

I have been in contact with David Currie and due to work commitments he is unable to attend the seminar in Swindon this October.

We looked at alternative dates, although unfortunately diaries cannot be committed.

Therefore this time the BKAA meeting will continue, although I will look for alternate instructor and themes.

If you are attending, could you start to indicate numbers, as I will consider whether to run both Saturday and Sunday or single day only again.

Recent death of Chris Roper

2010-07-12T14:40:00.000+01:00

Friends and fellow students were saddened to learn of the recent death of Chris Roper.

Chris, who was 61, was a 1st Dan student at the Colchester club.

His funeral took place on Friday 9th July at the Colchester Crematorium.

The funeral was attended by family and the many friends who came to know Chris through aikido. This large turnout says much for Chris' personality and popularity.

Those who attended heard an address in which Chris' many virtues and friendships were mentioned. Those of us who knew him can confirm that he was a generous and talented artist who gave freely of his time and energy.

Our respects and condolences go to his family. Chris will be greatly missed.

Update on recent Gradings and New Members

2010-06-04T15:43:00.002+01:00

As I have not completed this for a couple of months. As usual if I have missed anybody, let me know and I will amend.

Couple of additions

New member
Mike Lister - Bournemouth

Gradings - All Bournemouth
Anne Delaney - 5th Kyu
Dennis Delaney - 5th Kyu
Tomasz Rak - 4th Kyu

First I would like to welcome the following new members to the BKAA

Tommy McGregor-Smith - Selby
Matt Swift - Bournemouth

Quite a few gradings have come through to me over the last few months at all levels of the syllabus.

Joseph Leader - 2nd Dan - Finsbury
Adrian Bain - 1st Dan - Finsbury

Andy Turner - 1st Kyu - Malvern

Pete Lord - 2nd Kyu - Bristol

Hanna Lord - 2nd Kyu - Bristol
Steve Roe - 4th Kyu - Malvern
Mark Gibson - 4th Kyu - Malvern
Tomasz Rak - 4th Kyu - Bournemouth
Slawomir Jaloszynski - 5th Kyu - Finsbury

Club Sensei: If you have any gradings that you wish to acknowledge I can open the blog to you and all are welcome to edit and add comments, please ask if you want to add more local club news.

Finsbury Mats need new home

2010-05-02T11:23:00.001+01:00

Gone to Orpington dojo, thanks Mike for collecting and making use of the mats.

If anybody has need of some mats for their Aikido practice can you contact Philippe at Finsbury asap.

He has the Finsbury mats in urgent need of finding a home, or somebody who has somewhere to store them

Any takers, this is required asap, as the Finsbury dojo (sports centre) is being refurbished and therefore will be closed until later this year.

Please contact either me or Philippe asap or comment on this blog with your contact details. Thanks

Three new Dan grades in Selby

2010-03-30T10:37:00.002+01:00

I would like to congratulate the following for their achievements in Ki Aikido with the Selby dojo.

Wayne Acaster - 2nd Dan
Adrian Ward - 1st Dan
Andrew Smith - 1st Dan

Well done to Dave Connell for continuing with them and getting them to achieve this.

BKAA October seminar

2010-03-29T16:48:00.000+01:00

Although I had feedback from various dojos, based on this and the poll that has been run.

The next BKAA seminar will be held at the Swindon dojo.

Dates will be confirmed, although we should be able to get both Saturday and Sunday at a more reasonable price.

Thanks to all who replied.

Live blade sword med 4

2010-03-19T00:29:00.002Z

Hi folks,
Do any of your good selves have the sword med for 3rd Dan on DVD or video? I know it as meditation 4. It is a solo unlike the sword med for 2nd dan. I have a version written down, but if anyone has another version, please let me know.
thanks
Roger

New members and grading update

2010-03-14T14:13:00.003Z

I would like to welcome.the following members to the BKAA

Paul Kent-Smith - Bournemouth
James Gomm - Colchester
Richard Ward - Selby

To congratulate and recognise the progression through the grades, I would like to let all know of the following:

Ricardo Falchi - 5th Kyu - Finsbury
Ruben Kempenaar - 5th Kyu - Finsbury
Betsy Hayward - 5th Kyu - Bristol
Tony Bromiley - 5th Kyu- Bristol

If I have missed anyone, let me know and I will update

Also you will see to the side of this that I have added a poll for the next BKAA seminar, to make it more central for all dojos, the choices are:

Sports centre in Milton Keynes
Swindon dojo
Judo centre in High Wycombe.

Please could you make a choice and then I can arrange booking and set the date for your diaries.

Spring Seminar at Bath Uni

2010-03-13T18:11:00.000Z

I would like to thank all those members who came along today and made the day an enjoyable event for all.

Although the distances travelled were far, it seemed that all had a good day out and a mixture of topics were explored.

BKAA Spring Seminar - Saturday 13th March 2010

2010-03-02T15:39:00.000Z

Seminar is still being held at the University of Bath next week, agenda will be a selection of ideas from the club sensei.

Although numbers are reduced, this event will continue this time.

Future events will be in a more central location, hopefully to improve attendance.

See you next week

BKAA Seminar - Saturday 13th March

2010-02-10T17:54:00.002Z

Just to let everyone know that the BKAA Seminar in March is going to be a single day's event now.

As this is now only one day, David Currie will not be attending or instructing this time, and will attend the seminar later in the year.

I have asked the BKAA dojo instructors to give an hours tuition each, to give some variety and insight of different areas of Aikido to the day.

Please comment, if there are any specific areas you would like to learn.

The seminars are for the BKAA to get together as an organisation and share an Aikido experience.

From the polls that were carried out ~30 people replied for attending on the Saturday, and only 10 staying for the Sunday morning, therefore the reason for moving to a single day event.

I have been looking around for alternate and more central venues for later in the year and will let all know what is available in the coming weeks. I have found a venue in Milton Keynes, which is central to everyone and unless there is a concert on at the Bowl a non-descript place, apologies for anyone who lives or comes from there :o)

Swindon Aikido Saturday event

2010-01-25T09:21:00.002Z

A quick note to say a big 'thank you' to Derek and the Swindon club for a great afternoon of aikido on Saturday at the Haydon Wick center in Swindon. A good turnout from both the Bournemouth and Malvern clubs and guests. It was most emyoyable and great to catch up with some good friends. I look forward to the next get together.
Roger

BKAA Seminars - please feedback

2010-01-15T12:00:00.003Z

I have asked around for feedback from the BKAA Sensei and thought I'd share some of the comments and thoughts. If you could comment to this blog then I would appreciated the feedback.

My goal is to make the BKAA Seminars accessible to more of the BKAA Membership. And of course ensure that the day or days are attractive to you in their content.

Some of the comments and ideas that have been given are:

Alternate Venues

Reduce accommodation costs

Length of each session

Concentration span

Move session to Friday evening from Sunday

Weapons session
Advanced class

Social Event
One day event
Less Seminars per year

Some of the comments that I have extracted are below:

Generally, when people have done the full weekend, they start to run out of steam around lunchtime on the Sunday, and they still have to travel back as well. I think the Sunday should be a few hours at most. Also, if a one day event becomes the best way forward, we still need to be careful that it is not too long. Anything over 4hrs becomes a chore for people.

Two factors dictating members' decisions to leave on the Sunday

Exhaustion
Time (travel, recovery or commitments on the following morning).

It would be nice to have something different thrown in; may attract more people for the Sunday.

With the possibility of moving to Friday evening session.

There seems to be a lot more energy and enthusiasm on a Friday night (psychologically speaking).

Bath is one of the more expensive places to stay.

Worthwhile checking out B&Bs in the area, to get an idea of costs

Bath dojo is great in terms of the quality of mat, and size is great.

Bath is an outstanding venue, but barring a particular gathering or event there is a real diaspora following the training sessions. Ramsgate/Broadstairs the general nothiningness of the area meant that BKAA members were more likely to club together to do something. When something specific is organised members tend to feel more of an obligation to be there.

Less seminars (say not more than one a year) - if you only get one bite of the cake in a year, you tend to make a greater effort to be there. The more seminars, the more one takes them for granted.

Realistically in light of the amount of actual teaching/training that takes place, the seminars are as much about the social aspects of the BKAA as the learning (if not more so).

I realise that all have to travel significant distances to attend the seminars and am looking into options that are available. I will look into local accommodation, mat availability and centrality of location.

I will keep you all posted through this, although please add your comments

2009 Gradings

2009-12-27T13:27:00.001Z

To let all BKAA members know how people throughout the Association are progressing I will begin adding gradings as I see them come through, however to get those that I have recieved in 2009, here is a list, if there are omissions let me know and I will correct accordingly.

In 2010, I will also start adding New Members as they come in. Currently the Association is about 100 members in total and dojos are listed on the BKAA website

Gradings for 2009

January

Mark Reinisch - Finsbury - 2nd Dan

March

Karl Sherman - Selby - 4th Kyu
David Findley - Finsbury - 2nd Dan
David Shryane - Finsbury - 2nd Dan
Oleg Lideikis - Finsbury - 1st Dan

April

Malvern

Chris Walker - 5th kyu

Andy Turner - 2nd kyu

Steve Roe - 5th kyu

Edwin Helder - 5th kyu

Mark Gibson - 5th kyu

Martin Allbright - 5th kyu

May

Adrian Ward - Selby - 1st kyu

Andrew Smith - Selby - 1st kyu

July

Paul Castle - Selby - 1st Dan
Duncan Goodall - Colchester - 3rd Dan
Lloyd North - Colchester - 3rd Dan
Justin Cowley - Colchester - 3rd Dan
Andrew Adams - Colchester - 3rd Dan

August

Dug Wolfsohn - Swindon - 2nd kyu

Alison Osborn - Swindon - 1st kyu

Tomasz Raz - Bournemouth - 5th kyu

Luke Marsh - Bournemouth - 5th kyu

Tangy Nethercott - Bournemouth - 1st Dan

September

Nigel Hughes - Orpington - 5th kyu

Adam Hughes - Orpington - 5th kyu

Ultan McCarthy - Orpington - 5th kyu

Slawek Jaloszynski - Finsbury - 5th kyu

Geoffrey Leader - Finsbury - 3rd Dan

Zoe Reeves - Bristol - 4th kyu

October

Jonathan Wilton - Bournemouth - 5th kyu

Simon Jeffery - Bournemouth - 5th kyu

December

Simon Grimes - Orpington - 1st Dan

Andy Brown - Bournemouth - 3rd kyu

Hopefully I have listed all those that have graded in 2009 and I wish you all an enjoyable 2010.

Hope to see many of you at the BKAA Seminars in Bath in March and October.

Swindon dojo are holding an afternoon event on Saturday 23rd January from 1-4pm and all BKAA members are welcome. Please visit either the BKAA or Swindon website for address.

BKAA Newsletter

2009-12-24T11:06:00.000Z

Welcome to the First BKAA Newsletter

The British Ki Aikido Assocation (BKAA) is a martial arts group that practices in dojos throughout the UK and holds regular seminars in the Spring and Autumn to get all together.

Going into the new decade and 2010 I will be bringing news of events and members grading successes to this blog.

In the next few days I will also run through all the gradings that have taken place in 2009 and list those members who have achieved advancement in Aikido in the last year.

A couple of dates to remember for 2010 are for the BKAA Seminars at the University of Bath.

Saturday 13th March 2010 11.30am-5.30pm
Sunday 14th March 2010 10.30am-1.30pm
Saturday 9th October 2010 11.30am-5.30pm
Sunday 10th October 2010 10.30am-1.30pm

I will update with possible changes of times and details of the proposed agendas asap.